Lace machines



C. E. GOODLEY LACE MACHINES Feb. 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1957 F 3. 1959 c. E. GOQDLEY 2,87 ,153

7 LACE MACHINES Filed July 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 6 2,871,753 LACE MACHINES Charles E. Goodley, Woodthorpe, England Application July 11, 1957, Serial No. 671,186 Claims priority, application Great Britain July 31, 1956 9 Claims. (CI. 87-27) This invention relates to lace machines, and has reference particularly to twist lace machines of the kind in which a web of ornamental or decorative openwork fabric is produced by conjoint movements and intertwisting of sets of threads, viz. vertical threads (warp, beam or spool) and bobbin threads.

As well known to those versed in the art, the bobbins in a twist lace machine are mounted in carriages and caused to swing back and forth, pendulum fashion, through the vertical threads always in the same arcuate paths by virtue of being guided between blades of fixed combs. The vertical threads, on the other hand, are vertically disposed and threaded through holes or guides in steel bars which are shogged either to the right or to the left, and to various predetermined extents, according to the pattern. This longitudinal shogging of the steel bars deflects the vertical threads laterally and causes them to. become twisted around and to connect the bobbin threads.

The pendulum-like motion of the bobbin carriages is attained, as well known by constructing a lace machine to a circle of a given diameter, the centre of such circle being the point where the fabric is formed and the carriages being moved or swung in the lower portion of the circumference of the circle. Thus, the arcuate bottoms of the carriages are a true segment of the machine circle.

The invention, which is applicable not only to Leavers and Leavers Go-through machines but also to Curtain and Sival machines, is concerned particularly with bobbin carriage-supporting combs as fitted in such machines.

Now in all Leavers and Leavers Go-through machines as at present constructed, the bobbin carriages are inserted between, and engaged and supported at opposite sides, by vertical comb blades of front and back comb leads, whereas the arcuate bottom edges of these carriages bear upon and run to and fro along brass strips or rails which extend to full working width of the machine and conform to the aforementioned circle. In association with each of the front and back combs (through a space between which the vertical threads extend) there normally are, in Leavers and Leavers Go-through machines, three brass strips or rails on each comb bar. Of these three strips or rails one is screwed or riveted on to the inner lip of the comb bar, whilst the remaining two strips or rails are fitted as a pair upon brackets (which may be adjustable) carried by the same comb bar and extending beneath the comb blades.

But in either a Curtain machine or aSival machine, on the other hand, it is normal practice for each bobbin carriage to bear upon and run along a thin bearer which is interposed between two comb blades and is normally from, say, one to three thousandths of an inch thicker than the carriage bottom. The comb blades and the bearers are, in fact, arranged in alternating relation and cast up in a comb mould so that the comb blades in the initially separate leads are not, as in Leavers and Leavers Go-through machines, flexible.

Now the combs at present employed in Leaversand Leavers Go-through machines have certain disadvantages, whereas the combs conventionally adopted in Curtain can be just as readily fitted to both Patented Feb. 3, 1959 2 and Sival machines have other and different disadvantages, all hereinafter to be mentioned, and it is convenient to mention at this stage that the general aim of the present invention is to provide an improved and common comb assembly which overcomes all of these disadvantages and groups of machines. First with regard to the combs as at present fitted to Leavers and Leavers Go-through machines any damageto the front and back pairs of brass strips or rails fittted upon the aforementioned adjustable brackets calls for experienced mechanical attention, especially as it is possible for these strips or rails to be bent or so damaged that the circle on which the carriages oscillate is deformed. Moreover, extreme care must always be taken that the circle is maintained. Any inexperienced or careless adjustment would inevitably result in serious trouble.

The disadvantages of conventional comb leads fitted to Curtain and Sival machines are as follows:

Particularly for use in fine gauge machines where there are as many as, say, nineteen carriages to the inch, the correct fitting of the comb blades and bearers in the comb mould preparatory to casting up into a comb lead calls for the exercise of the very highest degree of skill and accuracy. Moreover, when the hot metal strikes the and bearers are rigidly held in, the casting metal, they 'are inflexible so that any wrong gaitin'g (e. g. two carriages in one division) causes a serious smash. Added to this, when bearers become worn or damaged the whole of the relevant comb lead or leads'requires or require to be replaced.

As previously indicated, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a generally improved form of comb assembly which eifectively obviates all of the foregoing disadvantages and can be adopted in all lace machines of the various types herein referred to.

The improved comb assembly comprises a comb bar extending the full working width of the machine, a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads in which flexible comb blades are cast, these leads being rigidly secured upon the bar, and a sectional carriage support bearing extending uninterruptedly the full width of the machine and consisting of a continuous series of initially separate segments (sections) which are separately attached to the comb bar and are together arranged to present, immediately beneath the comb blades, what is in effect a single arcuate carriage bearing surface conforming to the circle of the machine.

The initially separate segments of the carriage support bearing are all of identical form and of the same length, say two, four or six inches. Thus, as will be appreciated, the essential distinguishing feature of the improved assembly is that any one of the bearing segments can be expeditiously removed and replaced by a fresh segment. Accordingly, in the event of damage to a segment, the replacement can be effected by the weaver in a matter of a few minutes and does not call for experienced mechanical attention.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, each of the carriage bearing segments is formed with a shoulder which is adapted to fit up to the appropriate edge of the comb bar and thereby accurately locate The herein described sectional carriage support bearing therefore serves to replace the two strips or rails heretofore fitted upon adjustable brackets in a Leavers and Leavers Go-through machine. So far as a Curtain or Sival machine is concerned the novel sectional carriage support bearing provided by the present invention takes the place of the conventional narrow bearers previously interposed between the inflexible comb blades cast in the leads.

In order that the invention may be more clearly under stood and readily carried into practical effect, a specific constructional example of the improved comb assembly, and one of the carriage support bearing segments incorporated in the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of fragmentary portions of complete fr at and back comb assemblies, with parts of comb leads broken away for the sake of clarity,

Figure 2 is an end view, partly in crosssection, of the said assemblies,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of one of the complete comb assemblies showing a comb bar, a few of a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads mounted on the said bar and a few of the associated segments making up a sectional carriage support bearing and Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the carriage support bearing segments per se.

Like parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout the drawings. Figure 3 is drawn to a smaller scale than the remaining figures.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the machine includes two fixed and parallel comb bars 1. These bars, each of which extends the full working width of the machine, are arranged oppositehand with respect to one another-as seen in crosssection. Thus, the two bars 1 are included in front and back comb assemblies A and B. The front comb assembly A is of precisely the same form as the back comb assembly B. Accordingly, whatever is said in the follow ing further description of either comb assembly will be equally true of the other. Rigidly secured upon the top of each of the comb bars 1 is a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads 2 each of which, in this particular example, is 2 in length. Flexible comb blades 3 are cast in the leads 2. Each comb assembly includes a sectional carriage support hearing which is indicated generally by the numeral 4 and, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, extends uuinterruptedly widthwise of the ma chine. As will be seen, each carriage support bearing 4 consists of a continuous series of initially separate segments 5 which are separately attached to the relevant comb bar 1. The segments 5 of the series are placed end to end and present, immediately beneath the lower curved edges 3a of the comb blades 3, a single arcuate carriage bearing surface S. The surface S conforms to the circle of the machine a portion of which circle is indicated by a chain line C in Figure 2.

In each. of Figures 1 and 2 a bobbin carriage, guided between two of the comb blades 3 of each of the two assemblies A and B, is indicated at 6. A bobbin mounted in the said carriage is represented at '7.

In an improved comb assembly of this invention only the comb blades 3 are cast in the mould, so that the comb leads 2 are comparatively easy to produce and the blades 3 are flexible and thereby much easier to square as compared with the more rigid blades in conventional comb leads as heretofore fitted in Curtain and Sival machines. Moreover, the nature of damage to a comb lead 2 in the improved assembly in the event of a double gait is reduced since, of course, flexible comb blades offer less resistance when the carriages wrong gait. Furthermore, so far as Curtain and Sival machines are concerned the adoption of the invention enables fine gauges of, say,

eighteen carriages or more to the inch to be more satisfactorily built.

In the illustrated example, each of the comb leads 2 is for the most part relatively thin and flat and is thereby adapted to be secured, e. g. by means of a screw 8, upon a flat upper surface In on the relevant comb bar 1. The inner or leading margin of each such lead 2, however, may advantageously, and as shown, be increased in thickness at 2a to receive apertured lugs 3b of conventional form (see Figure 2) projecting downwardly from the lower edges 3a of the individual comb blades 3 cast in' the lead. The upper portion of the comb bar 1 adjoining the surface 1:: is longitudinally recessed at 1b to accommodate the local thickening 2a of the lead.

The flexible comb blades 3 are generally arcuate in form, the major portions of their lower edges 3a extending just clear of and parallel to the arcuate carriage hearing surface S presented by the continuous series of segments 5 and conforming to the circle C of the machine (see Figure 2). There is thus provided between the fiat upper surfaces 2b of the comb leads 2 and the arcuate lower edges 3a of the comb blades 3 a space 9 which extends the full working Width of the machine and is .of wedge form as viewed from either end of the machine. It is into this space that the initially separate segments 5 of the carriage bearing support 4 are inserted.

Accurate location of the segments 5 of each comb assembly within the space 9 is achieved by providing at the backs of the segments depending lugs such as 10 having flat faces adapted to be fitted against and to make contact with the back of the relevant comb bar 1. In fact, the lugs .10 provide locating shoulders. The said lugs, moreover, are apertured to receive screws 11 whereby the segments 5 are attached to the bar 1. The undersides of the segments are recessed at 12 (Figures 1 and 2) to accommodate the comb leads 2.

As will be seen more clearly from Figures 1 and 4, each segment 5 in the form of an accurately machined hollow unitary casting, comprises a rear longitudinally extending bar Set from which depend a suitably spaced pair of the apertured lugs 14 two wedge-shaped and web-like end portions 5/) which project forwardly from the rear bar 5a, a central wedge-shaped web 5c also projecting forward from the said bar, and, supported upon and integral with the end portions 5b and the intermediate web 56, an arcuate portion 5d extending uninterruptedly the full length of the segment and being machined to present a carriage bearing surface S. A bearing surface 6" in length and approximately 2%" in width is a convenient size.

In this latter regard it will be realised that if, as in the particular example now being described, each of the segments 5 of a series is 6 in length, and each of the comb leads 2 in the same assembly is 2" in length, there will be three leads'to each segment. Accordingly, as each comb lead 2 is secured upon the relevant comb bar 1 by means of a single screw 8, then there are three of such screws located within the confines of the hollow unitary casting constituting each of the segments 5. Of these three screws, one is located adjacent to the inner surface of each of the two wedge-shaped end portions 5b of the segment, whilst a space for accommodation of the third and central screw is provided by recessing at 5e, the underside of the intermediate web 5c of the said segment.

The individual segments 5 may be made of brass or any other suitable material which could, if desired, be plated or otherwise treated to provide resistance to wear.

An important point to note is that any one of the plurality of segments 5 of a sectional carriage support hearing 4 in an improved assembly can be quite simply removed and replaced by another without in any way interfering with the comb leads 2.

To complement each sectional carriage support bearing 4 and so provide adequate support for the carriages 6 as they oscillate, the innermost portion of each comb bar 1 in which are cast flexible comb is provided with a longitudinal lip upon which is screwed or riveted a brass strip or rail 13 extending the full working width of the machine-immediately beneath the protuberant leading ends or noses 3d of the comb blades 3. The longitudinal lip 10 adjoins the aforesaid recess 1b in the comb bar 1.

The invention includes, as a feature, a segment of the form herein described for manufacture and sale as a separate component.

An important advantage of the invention is that it provides greater bearing surfaces for the carriage bottoms.

I claim:

1. In a lace machine of the kind herein referred to, including bobbin carriages guided between the blades of fixed combs and arranged to swing back and forth, pendulum fashion, in arcuate paths each constituting the lower portion of the circumference of a circle to which the machine is designed, a comb assembly comprising, in combination, a comb bar extending lengthwise of said machine, a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads in which are cast flexible comb blades extending parallel to one another and at right angles to said comb bar, means securing the comb leads upon said bar, and a sectional carriage support hearing which extends uninterruptedly from end to end of the machine and consists of a continuous series of initially separate sections which are separately attached to the comb bar in a manner enabling any one of them to be removed and replaced by a fresh one, said sections together presenting, beneath the comb blades, an arcuate carriage bearing surface conforming to the aforesaid circle of the machine.

2. A comb assembly according to claim 1, wherein the comb blades are generally arcuate in form, the major portions of their lower edges extending clear of and parallel to the arcuate carriage bearing surface presented by the continuous series of sections.

3. A comb assembly according to claim 2, wherein there is provided between fiat upper surfaces of the comb leads and the arcuate lower edges of the comb blades a space which extends lengthwise of the machine and is of wedge form as viewed from either end of the machine, the initially separate sections of the carriage bearing support being inserted into and accommodated in this space.

4. A comb assembly according to claim 3, wherein accurate location of the carriage bearing support sections within the said space is achieved by the provision at the backs of the sections of depending lugs having flat faces fitted against the back of the comb bar.

5. In a lace machine of the kind herein referred to, including bobbin carriages guided between the blades of fixed combs and arranged to swing back and forth, pendulum fashion, in arcuate paths each constituting the lower portion of the circumference of a circle to which the machine is designed, a comb assembly comprising, in combination, a comb bar extending lengthwise of said machine, a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads blades extending parallel to one another and at right angles to said comb bar, means securing the comb leads upon said bar, and a sectional carriage support hearing which extends uninterruptedly from end to end of the machine and consists of a continuous series of initially separate sections all of identical form and of the same length, these sections being separately attached to the comb bar in a manner enabling any one of them to be removed and replaced by a fresh one, and the sections together presenting, beneath the comb blades an arcuate carriage bearing surface and having shoulders which lit up to an edge of the comb bar and serve to locate the said sections with the arcuate bearing surface coincident with the aforesaid circle of the machine.

6. In a lace machine of the kind herein referred to, including bobbin carriages guided between the blades of fixed combs and arranged to swing back and forth,

pendulum fashion in arcuate paths each constituting the lower portion of the circumference of a circle to which the machine is designed, a comb assembly comprising, in combination, a comb bar extending lengthwise of said machine, a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads in which are cast flexible comb blades extending parallel to one another and at right angles to said comb bar, each of said comb leads being mainly thin and flat and adapted to seat upon a flat upper surface of the comb bar and the leading portion of each comb lead being increased in thickness to receive lugs projecting downwardly from individual comb blades, the locally thickened portions of said leads being located in a longitudinal recess in the comb bar, means securing the comb leads upon said bar, and a sectional carriage support bearing which extends uninterruptedly from end to end of the machine and consists of a continuous series of initially separate sections which are separately attached to the comb bar in a manner enabling any one of them to be removed and replaced by a fresh one, said sections together presenting, beneath the comb blades, an arcuate carriage bearing surface conforming to the aforesaid circle of the machine.

7. In a lace machine of the kind herein referred to including bobbin carriages guided between blades of fixed combs and arranged to swing back and forth, pendulum fashion, in arcuate paths each constituting the lower portion of the circumference of a circle to which the machine is designed, a comb assembly comprising, in combination, a comb bar extending lengthwise of said machine and having a longitudinal lip, a rail which is secured upon said lip and is co-extensive with said comb bar, a longitudinal series of juxtaposed comb leads in which are cast flexible comb blades extending parallel to one another and at right angles to said comb bar, the said blades having protuberant leading ends beneath which the said rail is located, means securing the comb leads upon said bar, and a sectional carriage support hearing which extends uninterruptedly from end to end of the machine and consists of -a continuous series ofinitially separate sections which are separately attached to the comb bar in a manner enabling any one of them to be removed and replaced by a fresh one, said sections together presenting, beneath the comb blades, an arcuate carriage bearing surface which is complemented by the upper surface of the aforesaid rail and conforms to the circle of the machine.

8. For a comb assembly of a lace machine of the kind herein referred to including bobbin carriages guided between the blades of fixed combs and arranged to swing back and forth, pendulum fashion, in arcuate paths, a section of a carriage support bearing adapted to be attached to a comb assembly, said section being in the form of a machined hollow unitary casting comprising a rear longitudinally extending bar from which depend apertured lugs adapted to fit against such assembly, two wedge-shaped and web-like end portions which project forwardly from opposite ends of said bar, and, supported upon the said end portions, an arcuate portion which extends the full length of the section and is machined to present a continuous carriage bearing surface.

9. A bobbin carriage support bearing section according to claim 8, which includes an intermediate wedgeshaped web projecting from the rear bar, centrally between the end portions, the underside of this intermediate web being recessed, for the purpose specified.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 550,745 Cope Dec. 3, 1895 1,067,37A Dudson July 15, 1913 1,631,886 Pepper June 27, 1927 2,024,573 Goodley Dec. 17. 1935 

